cruise ship sydney covid

Cruise ship Majestic Princess with hundreds of COVID-infected passengers docks in Sydney

Health authorities are working with the operators of the Majestic Princess cruise ship that has docked in Sydney Harbour with hundreds of people infected with COVID on board. 

Key points:

• NSW Health says the cruise ship is at a Tier 3 warning, the highest possible COVID alert
• Cruise operator Carnival says about 800 people are infected with the virus
• All passengers will do a rapid antigen test before disembarking

New South Wales Health has confirmed the cruise ship is at the highest COVID alert possible for those on board with a Tier Three warning.

That means at least 20 per cent of people who were on board for the cruise have COVID.

The ship has more than 3,000 passengers and 1,000 crew, with several hundred believed to be infected.

Many passengers disembarked from the ship on Saturday after testing negative to the virus.

The president of cruise operator Carnival Australia, Marguerite Fitzgerald, said there were about 800 people infected, who were mostly passengers.

At least 20 per cent of people on board the cruise ship have COVID-19. ( ABC News )

"This is a 12-day voyage and we started to see elevated cases about halfway through," she said.

Ms Fitzgerald said the infected guests are mild or asymptomatic, and have been isolating in their rooms.

"Reflective of the increase in community transmissions, we too have seen more guests test positive for COVID-19 on the current voyage of Majestic Princess. This is a result of mass testing of our 3,300 guests," she said. 

The company said it had been proactively preparing for COVID-19 incidents and was working closely with NSW Health. 

It comes as the state sees a sharp spike in the number of COVID cases.

Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant on Friday warned NSW had entered its fourth COVID-19 wave , with 19,800 cases detected in the seven days to 4pm on Thursday.

It was a jump of 7,350 cases on the week before, when 12,450 cases were detected in NSW.

NSW Health said in a statement that all COVID-positive people onboard were isolating and being cared for by the staff medical team.

"NSW Health's assessment is that the COVID-19 risk level for the Majestic Princess is now Tier 3, which indicates a high level of transmission," it said in the statement.

"Carnival has advised NSW Health that they are assisting passengers with COVID-19 to make safe onward travel arrangements."

One man leaving the ship said he thought the cruise operator had done a good job with protocols, but passengers were not listening to instructions.

"It was scary because we heard about it [the infections] but we tested negative, and the Princess Majestic were really good with the protocols," he said.

"We wore masks for the last seven days and we were very careful when we went ashore, so some people don't just listen. Obviously they didn't [follow the rules] and that was the problem, people just don't take COVID seriously."

Passengers said they were given clear instructions by the crew and protocols were followed. ( ABC News )

Another passenger praised the crew and said the cruise was enjoyable.

"Fantastic, no problems. The crew were terrific, and we've had a great time," he said.

"You've got to accept that this is how it's going to be, and no we thoroughly enjoyed it."

Carnival said all positive cases would be separated from other guests when they disembark the ship.

"We understand this current wave of COVID-19 is concerning to many in the community and we take our responsibility in keeping everyone safe very seriously," it said in a statement.

"All guests disembarking have undertaken a rapid antigen test in the past 24 hours, which will determine how they will disembark the ship.

"All guests will be masked, regardless of COVID status."

The Opposition said while the situation was delicate it would not be calling for restrictions.

"No, I'm not calling for that [restrictions], I think that the advice from Kerry Chant [NSW Health Chief Officer] this morning was wise," leader Chris Minns said.

"Let's manage this situation using the expert advice and expertise of our chief health officer ... I've got confidence in them to navigate through a tricky situation." 

• SYDNEY, NSW
• MELBOURNE, VIC
• HOBART, TAS
• BRISBANE, QLD
• ADELAIDE, SA
• CANBERRA, ACT

'Plenty of protections in place' as 800 COVID-19 infected passengers disembark cruise ship in Sydney

• Coronavirus

Send your stories to [email protected]

Property News: 'Value for money': 7 affordable Melbourne suburbs where homes are still getting cheaper.

Top Stories

Albanese government to reduce student debts under new plan

One World Trade Centre opens on site of Twin Towers 13 years after 9/11 attacks

The celebrities who have taken a stance in the upcoming US election

Orphaned squirrel 'Peanut' killed after being seized

• Travel Updates

Covid cruise ship to drops infected in Sydney

More than 100 of the 2850 passengers on board a cruise ship docking in Sydney have been infected with Covid-19.

A cruise ship with more than 100 Covid-19 positive passengers has docked in Sydney.

Hundreds of passengers on board the Celebrity Eclipse are believed to be carrying the virus.

Having just completed a trip to New Zealand, she was expected to dock in Sydney on Friday morning.

The New South Wales government has classified the ship as a ‘Tier 2’- meaning “there are quite a few cases on board (30-99 positive cases per 1,000 people) and/or the vessel’s staffing or resources are impacted. However, it can safely maintain critical services.”

But in a statement, Celebrity Eclipse says there are only about 4 per cent of people on board with Covid - meaning there would be more than 100 people infected on the ship that holds a maximum of 2850 people.

“The individuals are fully vaccinated, mildly symptomatic or asymptomatic and being monitored by our medical team,” the statement said.

“Celebrity Eclipse is sailing with fully vaccinated crew and guests and following a robust protocols plan developed with guidance from local authorities and other leading public health experts. The safety of our guests, crew and the communities we visit is always our top priority.”

The Majestic Princess, which docked on Thursday, has also been classed as a tier 2 ship.

Three Tier 1 ships, with “less than 30 per cent positive cases per 1,000 people” either arrived in recent days or are expected to also dock on Friday.

According to NSW authorities: “Cruise vessels must report Covid-19 cases 12-24 hours prior to arrival at a NSW port.”

The arrivals come amid a fourth wave expected to peak before Christmas.

Over 100,000 cases were recorded nationwide last week as a mix Covid and non-Covid viruses strain the nation’s hospital system.

Professor Steve Robson, President of the Australian Medical Association, told ABC Radio the “worst was yet to come”.

“I think the worst is yet to come, looking at the data we have,” he said on Wednesday.

“It may still be another week or two before (cases) peak.”

He said resource constraints in hospitals around the country were causing havoc.

“When you have a Covid wave, it’s not only patients who get Covid – It’s the people who run the hospitals too.

More Coverage

“It’s a recipe for long and difficult waits for families.

“Covid is just stressing an already stressed system.”

Get in touch – [email protected]

Add your comment to this story

To join the conversation, please log in. Don't have an account? Register

Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout

Qantas pilot named as crash victim

A Qantas pilot has been named as one of three victims who died in a horror mid-air crash in Sydney on Saturday.

Five injured in gas explosion at campground

Five people have been injured in a gas explosion at a campground in South Australia, with two of them in a serious condition.

Seaplane ditches into ocean at holiday hotspot

An investigation is underway after a seaplane carrying five people ditched into the ocean at a popular tourist hotspot.